WALES: New Lesbian Archbishop Defies Lambeth Resolution 1:10

Global South Anglican leader berates decision saying it ‘tears fabric of the communion at highest level’

By David W. Virtue, DD

www.virtueonline.org

July 31, 2025

THE small progressive Anglican province of Wales has elected a lesbian archbishop to lead the province following the resignation of the pro-gay, divorced and remarried Welsh Archbishop Andy John.

John stepped down in August after two troubling reports published concerns about Bangor Cathedral. One detailed report of inappropriate behavior, lack of boundaries and excessive alcohol consumption. There was no suggestion that Andrew John behaved inappropriately.

The new archbishop is Cherry Vann. Her partner is Wendy Diamond. She is the Bishop of Monmouth and she will become the Church in Wales' first female and gay Archbishop. She was also a member of The Church of England's Archbishops’ Pastoral Advisory Group, charged with creating resources to help churches welcome LGBTQI+ people.

The election was promptly condemned by the leader of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), the Most Rev. Dr. Justin Badi Arama who said; “faithful Anglicans of the Global South will grieve that the tear in the fabric of our beloved Communion is now established at the highest level, but this will also strengthen our resolved to restore the Scriptures to their central place in our life together and build covenanted relationships through which we are able to gladly recognize one another as partners in mission and members of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

This election stands in defiance of the 1998 Lambeth Resolution which upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union. It also believes that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage. No exceptions.

Her consecration came just days after the Church of England’s House of Bishops released a new document, reaffirming its opposition to same-sex marriage and declaring that sex should only be for married, heterosexual couples.

The document stated: “The Church’s teaching on sexual ethics remains unchanged. “For Christians, marriage – that is the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with the making of vows – remains the proper context for sexual activity.”

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, said this appointment directly contradicts the Church’s historic and biblical doctrine that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and that sexual relationships are reserved for marriage. “This is in open defiance of Christian teaching.”

“As an ordained minister, and now Archbishop, Cherry Vann has sworn to uphold the teaching of the Church. Instead, she is publicly living in deliberate rejection of those very doctrines.

“That she was elected with a two-thirds majority of the Electoral College demonstrates that the Church in Wales has now institutionally turned away from biblical teaching on sexual morality. It is a clear sign of apostasy.”

“No Bible-believing Christian can remain under the spiritual leadership of someone who so publicly rejects the clear teaching of Scripture. God will judge His Church for abandoning the gospel. As James reminds us, those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1).”

In 2003 The Episcopal Church ordained an avowed practicing homosexual to the episcopate in the person of V. Gene Robinson. That decision brought about a split in the Episcopal Church with the formation of the Anglican Church in North America.

VOL reached out to GAFCON leaders but did not hear back from them at the time of publication.

END